Aboriginal Health Initiatives Funding Guidelines

Transcription

1 Aboriginal Health Initiatives Program Funding Guidelines The Aboriginal Health Initiative Program (AHIP) is a grants program that supports health promotion projects with Aboriginal non-profit organizations and First Nations communities in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region, and provides capacity building and health promotion training opportunities. Funding opportunities are available each fall.

2 ABORIGINAL HEALTH INITIATIVE ITIATIVE PROGRAM [AHIP] V A N C O U V E R C O A S T A L H E A L T H Launched in 2002, AHIP's mandate is to encourage First Nations communities and Aboriginal non-profit organizations to identify and develop locally responsive health promotion and capacity building initiatives. Projects must have a direct impact on community members, the outcomes must be measurable, and use Indigenous practices as a main methodology. AHIP provides funds to Métis, First Nation and Aboriginal communities and organizations to support locally responsive health promotion and capacity building projects. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - FUNDING YEAR: APRIL 1, 2014-MARCH 31, 2015 This Guide is intended as the first step in exploring the development and possible funding of community- based health promotion and capacity building projects for THE FISCAL YEAR APRIL 1, 2014 MARCH 31, Health Promotion supports the idea that communities are in the best position to understand their own health needs and, when given the opportunity and resources, have the ability to produce positive health outcomes for themselves. Communities and individuals are encouraged to work together to organize and develop resources, skills and commitments needed to address the health issues that they themselves identify as important. The results of these efforts can create promising models and practices that can then be shared with other community resources thus building community capacity. INVITATION TO APPLY This invitation to apply will be of interest to Vancouver Coastal Health [VCH] Region First Nations communities, Métis and Aboriginal non-profit organizations that: Are located in the Vancouver Coastal Health region Have an interest in exploring strategies to promote health and build community capacity in one of the five funding streams (listed on the next page) Are a willing partner with the Aboriginal Health Initiative Program of Vancouver Coastal Health Are a First Nations community and/or Aboriginal Organization with a mandate to provide health and social services When there is no pre-existing existing Aboriginal organization in an urban setting. Non-Aboriginal organizations wishing to access AHIP funding may partner with a First Nations community or an Aboriginal organization to meet an existing gap in Health Promotion and Capacity Building initiatives for Aboriginal people either in an urban setting or in a First Nations community. Page 1

3 AHIP FUNDING: AHIP funding intends to build community capacity and promote Health Promotion by enhancing the skills and assets that make it possible for communities to identify and manage their own health needs. This year there will be funding for community based health promotion projects up to a maximum of $40,000 for up to 3 years. These projects intend to build community capacity by enhancing the skills and assets that make it possible for communities to identify and manage their own health needs and address both common outcomes listed here. This year AHIP will support two common outcomes in communities, these are: 1. Participants increase their knowledge about cultural and traditional practices 2. Participants gain new knowledge and skills for supporting their health and well-being. Applicants can apply for funding in one of the following funding streams and will develop an outcomes measurement framework with activities that reflect the above outcomes in the application form. AHIP FUNDING STREAMS - 1. Chronic or Infectious Disease Prevention 2. Early Childhood Development Projects that fit within this funding stream might include programming that addresses chronic/infection disease prevention by developing and implementing health awareness workshops; starting and maintaining a community kitchen that puts an emphasis on balanced, nutritious, and/or traditional foods; or partnering with another service provider to offer awareness-building workshops in community. Early Childhood Development addresses the time of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth in Aboriginal children aged 0 to 6 years old. Projects that fit within this funding stream include: traditional parenting programs, father support groups, school readiness programs, mom/dad and tot programs, infant attachment awareness programs, and baby programs such as Mother Goose. 3. Food Security Local Community Food Security happens when community members are able to have healthy, safe, traditional foods that are easily accessible and sustainable. Projects that find ways to bring back our cultural teachings about our traditional food sources, and that help support Local Food Security in our communities today fit within this funding stream. 4. Injury Prevention 5. Mental Health & Self-Esteem Focuses on communities and community members making positive choices, which reduces the chance of accidents and injury while still promoting healthy, active and safe lifestyles. Some examples are wearing of seatbelts, preventing falls with our elders and use of floatation devices. Having safe places for children to play and teaching them about safety in the home and outside the home are important pieces of injury prevention, suicide prevention, and self harm injury. Culturally appropriate mental health programming for Aboriginal people means acknowledging and understanding the many factors that influence and impact the wellbeing of Aboriginal people. Successful projects that fit within this funding stream will incorporate traditional approaches to healing and be holistic: focusing on the expertise and knowledge of Indigenous people and practices. Page 2

4 Funding Criteria and Review Process: FUNDING CYCLE & APPLICATION PROCESS: October Funding Cycle begins Call-out for Expressions of Interest made: October 10, 2013 November Expressions of Interest Due: November 25, 2013 December Review Committee meets to identify successful applicants All Applicants notified January Successful Applicants participate in two-day "Splash & Ripple" Training to develop an Outcome Measurement Framework and Monitoring Plan for proposed project Project Outcome Measurement Framework and project budget are finalized Feb/March Contracts for payment signed by all parties April First payment: April 1, 2014 FUNDING CRITERIA AND REVIEW PROCESS: A Proposal Review Panel consisting of VCH Staff, Aboriginal community members and other key stakeholders will review the applications and proposed projects, using pre-established funding criteria. VCH staff may call applicants to clarify aspects of their proposal if there are not clearly stated. This will occur prior to the funding panel meeting so all information as required will be considered when decisions on the funding is made. If the review panel has questions about a submission, a VCH staff person will follow-up with the applicant to make sure that the project meets the funding criteria. Final decisions will be made by the Proposal Review Panel about and then the proposal will proceed to the next step (developing the Evaluation Framework, with VCH staff) and the actual contracting process. These applicants will be notified and then participate in the next step of this process, which will be to develop an Outcomes Measurement Framework, OMF (action plan/logic model) for their project. This framework will become the major part of the funding contract. In order to receive funding an OMF must be submitted to VCH by the deadline. One-to-one support will be provided for applicants to develop their frameworks during the contracting period. This framework will be submitted by the applicant along with a detailed proposed project budget by the deadline. Successful AHIP projects can begin April 1 st, Those applicants that are successful at receiving an AHIP grant will have to report on their project twice a year, once after operating for six months (September 30 th, 2014) and again at the end of the fiscal year (March 31 st, 2015). Page 3

5 POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH AHIP FUNDING: The following Vancouver Coastal Health policies apply to the operations of the Aboriginal Health Initiative Program: Funding Eligibility It is the policy of VCH that no organization that has received funding under an Aboriginal Community Grants Program may receive new or additional project funding for any project, if the organization is unable (or there is a significant risk) to meet the project deliverables. Funding Holdbacks All AHIP Grant Projects are subject to a ten (10%) percent funding holdback until satisfactory completion of the project. It will be the responsibility of the Regional Director, Aboriginal Health Strategic Initiatives to enforce this policy. Project Funding Surpluses and Repayment It is the policy of Vancouver Coastal Health Authority ( VCH ) that all organizations that receive project funding from VCH for Aboriginal Community Grant Programs are required to expend the funding in accordance with the approved budget to achieve the deliverables set out in the contract with VCH. The organization must return to VCH any surplus funds not required to meet the deliverables, unless there is a written agreement with VCH to assign the funding to achieve new or revised deliverables. If any funds are used for any purpose that is inconsistent with achieving the project deliverables and contract terms, the organization will be required to repay those funds to VCH As VCH has a limited budget, the following areas cannot be considered for funding under AHIP (see Addendum A on page 6 for definitions of the following): Capital expenditures Conferences Counselling or counselling positions Daycare costs Direct delivery of services such as one-to-one paid support Extensive materials/supplies Needs assessments Research projects Resource libraries Staff development/benefits Travel outside of the VCH region Page 4

6 AHIP application requirements: Applications must be completed fully and duly signed by an authorized signing authority from the community or organization. Only completed applications submitted in the template provided will be reviewed. Applications must include a completed project outcomes measurement framework and budget on the templates provided. Two (2) letters of support from partners and/or stakeholder. Current list of Board of Directors or Chief and Council. If You Are Interested: Please submit the application form by Monday, November 25, 2013 at 4:00 pm. Mailing Address: AHIP Applications Aboriginal Health Strategic Initiatives Vancouver Coastal Health # West Broadway Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4C2 Electronic copies and faxes will be accepted. Electronic copies can be ed to ahipgeneral@vch.ca. or Fax to If you wish more information on this call out, you can contact: Diana Day Leader, Aboriginal Community Development/Engagement Telephone: ext Diana.day@vch.ca Page 5

7 Addendum Definitions Capital Expenditures: refers to furnishings, equipment or renovations that are more than 5% of the total AHIP budget request. Community based health promotion: Strengthen the ability of the staff and community members, to carry out health promotion activities. Conferences: AHIP does not provide funding for hosting, organizing, or attending conferences. Counselling or Counselling positions: where primary duty is providing one-to-one counselling. Daycare costs: providing costs for licensed day care or subsidies. Direct delivery of services: AHIP does not provide one-to-one services, such as counseling or primary health care. Extensive materials/supplies: AHIP only covers costs for materials directly related to the project. Needs assessments: the gathering and analyzing of information to obtain an accurate and thorough picture of the relevant community or setting. Staff development: includes any training related to staff professional development. Staff Benefits: include MERC s (mandatory employment related costs) Research projects: AHIP does not cover costs of research projects. Resource libraries: books, DVDS or subscriptions to journals. Travel outside of the VCH region: not covered, see map of VCH region on title page. Page 6